Petition to be heard by 5-Judge SC Bench

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court will take up a petition by President Maithripala Sirisena seeking a SC determination on his term of office .

The bench comprising Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, Justices Eva Wanasundera, B.P. Aluvihara, Sisira J De Abrew and K.T. Chitrasiri has been nominated to make a determination on the ambiguity arising after the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

The matter was referred to the Supreme Court in terms of Article 129(1) of the Constitution.

He has sought a determination whether, in terms of Provisions of the Constitution, he, as the person elected and succeeding to the office of President and having assumed such office in terms of Article 32(1) of the Constitution on 9th January 2015

He has sought a determination whether, in terms of Provisions of the Constitution, he, as the person elected and succeeding to the office of President and having assumed such office in terms of Article 32(1) of the Constitution on 9th January 2015, has any impediment to continue in the office of President for a period of six years from 9th January 2015, the date on which the result of his election to the office of President was declared.